Essex County Executive DiVincenzo to formally kickoff bid for re-election next week

Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, pictured on Oct. 3, will formally kick off his bid for an unprecedented fourth term on Monday.

ESSEX COUNTY — Joseph DiVincenzo is slated to announce his bid for a fourth term as Essex County executive on Monday.

Democratic party leaders and politicians from all levels of government are expected to join DiVincenzo at the event, according to DiVincenzo's chief of staff, Philip Alagia, who is running the campaign. The official kick-off will be held at the Essex County College gymnasium at 9:45 a.m. Monday.

DiVincenzo joined other Democrats in crossing party lines during last month's gubernatorial race to endorse Republican Gov. Chris Christie during his successful re-election campaign.

Re-elected by voters in 2010 by more than a 50-point margin over his opponent, DiVincenzo has been no slouch as far as filling his war chest — he's already amassed roughly $1.5 million ahead of the June 2014 primary race, according to campaign finance records filed Oct. 15.

DiVincenzo is seeking an unprecedented fourth term and is the fifth and longest serving Essex County executive. First elected as county executive in 2002, DiVincenzo touts among his accomplishments raising the county bond rating from junk status to AA2, upgrading county facilities including the jail, hospital and government complex, and improving county parks.